Griquas will test frustrated Sharks

JOHN Plumtree has lost four Springboks, but hopes to have two other internationals — flyhalf Frederic Michalak and prop BJ Botha — in his line-up for Saturday’s testing away Currie Cup game against Griquas.

Plumtree said yesterday that Michalak, with a bruised hip, should be fine while he hopes tighthead Botha, also sidelined by injury, will be cleared to play.

Four Boks, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, Tendai Mtawarira and Ryan Kankowski, saw action against the Lions on Saturday, but they are back in the national squad with four other Sharks.

Plumtree also confirmed that centre Brad Barritt and Rory Kockott are still injured.

“There could be as many as five or six changes, and that’s not ideal. Continuity is a problem and we have now had four or five different flyhalves. But it is the hand we have been dealt and we must get on with it.”

He said the presence of players like Jean Deysel and Botha, if cleared to play, adds to the physicality of the Sharks pack, adding that the Sharks have adapted the game plan according to personnel.

“We’ve lost some to the Boks, but we have to go with a plan that suits the group we have, and then it’s up to them to perform.”

He said Griquas will be a major threat, particularly as they will be fresh after a bye last week.

“Griquas have a lot of experience, even if they do not have big names. They have some talented players and physical forwards.

“We will need to be disciplined. If they dominate us physically, it will be a long day. We have to go up there confident and ready to play to a plan.”

The Sharks coach said there is frustration in the squad about the kind of rugby they are playing.

“But I think the public needs to understand this is a different group … and that the win against the Lions, a fairly experienced Super 14 team, was significant.

“The expectations from everyone are that if we don’t win by 30 points, it hasn’t been a good day. But that’s not realistic.”

Join the conversation!

24.com encourages commentary submitted via MyNews24. Contributions of 200 words or more will be considered for publication.

We reserve editorial discretion to decide what will be published. Read our comments policy for guidelines on contributions.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location.
If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a
location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to
take affect.

Your Location*

Weather*

Always remember my setting

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.